Libertarians get boost as judge strikes down Virginia ballot law
A federal judge in Richmond has found part of Virginia’s ballot access law unconstitutional because it requires people who circulate petitions for third-party presidential candidates to be state residents,” The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports today.
“‘The law places a severe burden on the plaintiffs’ freedom of speech and is not narrowly tailored to promote a compelling state interest,’ such as preventing election fraud, wrote U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney.”
“He ruled on behalf of the Libertarian Party of Virginia and Darryl Bonner, a Pennsylvania resident who is a professional circulator of petitions. The judge barred the three members of the State Board of Elections from implementing the state residency restriction on people who circulate petitions.”
